Key case



N; J. DUYN Jan. 22, 1957 KEY CASE Filed. March 19, 1956 FIG.

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United htates Patent Q 2,778,217 my CASE Nick J. Duyn, Tucson, Ariz.Application March 19, 1256, Serial No. 572,414 4 Claims. c1. 70-456 Myinvention relates in general to key cases It relates more in particularto an improved, functionally advanced key case embodying the generalfeatures of my prior Patent No. 2,467,614, dated April 19, 1949,particularly adapted to be formed from suitable thermo-plastic material.

The principal objectof my invention is the provision of an inexpensivekey case Within which a predetermined, relatively small number of keysmay be completely housed, but from which they may be quickly and readilyreleased for use.

A further object is to produce a plastic key case in which keys areretainedfrictionally between a pair of plates comprising an integralplastic body, and in which finger pressure on the plastic body isadequate to release the keys.

A still further object is the provision of a key case according to thepreceding object, and in which the integ'ral plastic body is relievedand reinforced in such a manner as to cause the plates to move withrelation to each other substantially without warping.

Other specific objects and features of the invention will be madeapparent by reference to the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a partially completed case body asit is received from an injection mold and before insertion of anactuating fulcrum;

Fig.2 is a similar view in rear elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the Fig. 1 body portion;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view showing the extreme convergence of thefront and rear plates;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5+5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view showing the actuating fulcrum before itsinsertion in the body portion;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View, similar to Fig. 4, but showing the fulcrumin place;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view showing a preferred form of retainer forpivotally holding keys within the case;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view, similar to Fig. 1, but showing thecompletely assembled key case, with the position of the keys shown inbroken lines;

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an end view looking along the line 1212 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a filler which may be used to replace akey;

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view, similar to Fig. 11, but showing themanner of using the filler shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view, similar to Fig. 7, but illustrating theposition of the front and rear plates when the key case body is suitablypressed between the thumb and fingers;

Fig. 16 is an elevational view, similar to Fig. 10, but illustrating themanner in which the keys are released shown in Figs.

2,778,21 7 Patented-Jan. 22,- 19 57 2. and drop by gravity bias when thekey case is pressed to assume the configuration illustrated in Fig. 15

Fig. 17 is a front elevational view showing a modified form of keyretainer; and

Fig. 18 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 1818 of Fig.17.

Referring now to the drawings, the key case of my invention comprises anintegral body portion, generally indicated by the reference character 21and having} as its principal integral components" a front plate 22 andrear plate 23 connected together at the top by thickened web portions 24and 26. secured to the front plate 22,- in a manner which will bedescribed, is a wedge-shapedactuating fulcrum 27 (Fig.- 6) so thatpressing the plates together above the fulcrum will cause the rearplate'23 to tilt around the fulcrum and create relative separatingmovement between theplates 22 and 23 in such a manner as to provide afunctional result as will be more clearly described hereinbelow. Keysare preferably retained between the plates 22 and 23 by' a spring clip,generally horse-shoe shaped retainer 25 as shown in elevation in Fig. 9.

Some of the detail structural features are most clearly shown in Figs. 1through 5 illustrating the body portion as it is received from a mold.As shown particularly in Fig. 5, the plates 22 and 23 have thickenedportions 28 and 29, respectively, forming continuous heads between theweb portions 24 and 26. These thickened portions or heads 28 and 29 areseparated by a space 31 (Fig. 3) so that they can be grasped between thethumb and fingers and brought together. Kerfs 32 and 33 formed at thetop portion of rear plate 23 at the inner boundaries of the web portions24 and 26 form a relieved rectangular tab 34 which permits bringing thethickened portions 28 and 29 together throughout their entire length.Asappears clear, particularly in Figs. 2 through 5, the tab 34 isthickened for reinforcement and this thickening extends at 36 toward arounded offset extension of rear plate 23, which functions to hold thehead portions of keys. In this connection it will be noted that inoutline the plates 22 and 23 are identical, each co prisingagenerallyreetangular portion in which shanks of retainedkeys arehoused, and a rounded offset portion for receiving the key heads. Inaddition to the reinforced portions previously described, rear plate 23also is provided with a reinforcing integral tab 37 running downwardlyfrom its top edge adjacent kerf 32 and spaced from the rectangular tab34.

Referring further to Figs. 1'-5, the body portion is initially molded sothat the two plates 22 and 23 slope downwardly toward each other almostinto contact as shown in Fig. 5. Holes 38 and 39 are also molded in theplates 22 and 23, respectively, for receiving a key-retaining member.Immediately below web 24 there are also molded shallow elongatedrecesses and 42 bounded inwardly from side edges of the plates by raised-angular stops 43 and 44. The elongated recesses 41 and 42,respectively, are directly in line with the center of holes '38 and 39,and adjacent such holes are further recesses 46 and 47 aligned with therecesses 41 and 42.

I have found it possible to mold the body portion as 1-5 in a singleoperation 30 that no finishing forming operation of any kind isrequired. This materially decreases the total cost of producing thefinished key case. When the body portion as shown in Figs. 1-5 has beenreceived from the mold, the fulcrum 27 is suitably attached to the frontplate 22 plastic welding. This is simply done byapplying a solvent toits base and inserting it in proper locationbe tween the plates 22 and23 while they are sprung apart. I have found that by use of a simplefixture or jig, this operation may be carried out very quickly andaccurately,

it being obvious that when the separatedplates 22 and 23 are released,plate 23 rides on the apex of the wedgeshaped fulcrum and will hold itin position until the solvent evaporates and the Weld sets firmly.Insertion of the fulcrum causes the bottom edges of the plates 22 and 23to be held slightly more separated than as received from the mold, asmay be seen by comparison of Figs. 3-5 with Figs. 7 and 8 showing thefulcrum in place. Thus, in effect, the body portion, including thefulcrum, becomes an integral unit, and the plate 23 is always in contactwiththe apex of the fulcrum.

To insert keys in the case, their heads are placed between the roundedotfset portions of the plates 22 and 23 with the usual holes in suchheads in line with the holes 38 and 39 in the plates. Figs. l0, ll, 14and 16 show heads of keys 48 in such position. One end of the retainer25 is then threaded through the aligned holes, its bight moved tokey-retaining position, and the ends of the retainer moved rotatablyuntil they snap into and are retained by the recesses 41 and 42.

For best results, the key case of my invention should contain thespecific number of keys for which it was designed. As shown in thedrawings, it is designed to hold three keys, commonly the number whichone may carry in his pocket and to which he requires quick and frequentaccess. If less than such number are to be carried, however, one may useone or more spacers 49 in the form of a fibre washer or washers, asshown in Fig. 13. Fig. 14 shows the key case described hereinabovecarrying two keys 48 and a single spacer 49.

Figs. 17 and 18 show a modification in which a small nut and bolt 51, orsimilar straight-shank retainer, is substituted for the horse-shoeshaped retainer 25. Since the retainer takes no part in providing forthe resilient action of the plates 22 and 23, a straight shank retainerwill functionally replace the horse-shoe type retainer 27 in allrespects. It will be noted, however, that the head of the bolt and itsnut are spaced slightly from the front and rear plates to permit theirmoving functionally with respect to each other in the required manner.It should also be noted that the stops 43 and 44, and recesses 41, 42,46 and 47 are not required when the nut and bolt 51 are used. In allother respects, however, the key case is unchanged. I therefore haveapplied the same reference characters to Figs. 17 and 18 as are used inthe main embodiment, preceded with the prefix 1, however, to denotemodification.

In the above detailed description of the structure of my key case, Ihave used identifying reference expressions such as front, rear, top,bottom, etc.; but it should be understood that such terms are used forpurposes of description and are not used in a limiting manner. Thesesame types of expressions will be used in identifying functionalcharacteristics as described below. It should be understood, however,that since my present invention does not employ spring means to ejectthe key shanks when the front and rear plates are moved away from them,but depends on the biasing action of gravity, it is essential to holdthe key case in the position shown in Fig. 16 to release the key shanksin the intended manner.

As previously noted, the body portion as initially molded provides forthe maximum converging of the plates 22 and 23 so that they almost touchat the bottom (Fig. The insertion of the wedge-shaped fulcrum 27separates the plates slightly further at the bottom edge, but stillleaves them normally in sharp converging relation along their entirelength, including the rounded, offset portion which clamps the key headstogether as they are retained by the retainer 2'7. Thus it will be seenthat when the keys are placed within the key case, their heads areclamped together, and the shanks are held between the fulcrum and thesloping sides of the plates, as shown particularly in Fig. 12.

As explained, the keys are released edges of the plates, along the headsby pressing the top 28 and 29 to force the rear plate to pivot aroundthe apex of the fulcrum. This closes the top opening 31 and causes theplates to assume the somewhat diverging position shown in the bottomplan Fig. 15. This action is made possible by the detailed constructiondescribed. The front plate 22, being continuous and of uniformthickness, acts as a base for the fulcrum and is not deformed in any wayby the described squeezing or pressing action. The fulcrum, it will benoted, is substantially midway between the kerfs and about two-thirds ofthe distance between the tops of the kerfs and their bottoms. The kerfs32 and 33 relieve the back plate so that the tab 34 can freely rockabout the fulcrum. The tab 34, being reinforced, does not bend butfunctions as a unit carrying the bottom thinner portion immediatelybelow it so that this middle portion is caused to have divergingmovement without warping or distortion. The thickened extension 36running from the tab portion toward the key head-retaining roundedoffset portion causes this portion of the rear plate to follow themovement of the center portion with, however, some warping action belowthe web 24. A similar warping action takes place in that portion of therear plate 23 to the left of (Fig. 2) and below the web 26. The resultis that, so far as the key clamping portion of the body is concerned,plate 23 moves as a unit in the manner indicated in Fig. 15. Therecesses 46 and 47 allow the offset portions of the plates to expandevenly as a unit without binding against rounded side edges of theretainer 25. Notwithstanding the action of the plates in expanding asunits in the manner described, the bottom edges of the plates 22 and 23are sufficiently flexible so that keys may be reinserted by merelyforcing them into closed or housed position with the fingers, noactuation around the fulcrum, as in releasing the keys, being necessary.

The use of the key case of my invention is the same whether it containsits total complement of keys, or if a spacer or spacers 49 are used, orif a retainer such as 51 is employed. The frictional action at the headis adequate to hold the keys, even if they are not positively held atthe shank end. Preferably, however, the case should contain the numberof keys for which it was designed. While the drawings illustrate a casefor containing three keys, the case may be designed, using the describedfeatures, to hold various numbers of keys.

I have described my invention in detail so that those skilled in the artwill understand the manner of practicing the same, but the scope of theinvention is defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A key case comprising a case body with front and rear plates joinedtogether at their tops with two spaced narrow webs, said plates havingspaced bead portions between the webs, each such plate comprising agenerally rectangular key shank-retaining portion and a rounded offsetfor receiving the key heads, said offset portions having holes, a keyretainer extending through said holes for engagement through the usualholes in the key heads, said plates normally converging away from saidwebs, a pair of parallel kerfs being provided at the top of the rearplate immediately adjacent said webs to thereby form a separate tab, anda fulcrum secured to the front plate with its apex engaging said tabportion below the top thereof, whereby when tops of the plates at saidtab portion are squeezed between the thumb and fingers said plates arecaused to diverge because of the rear plate rocking around the saidfulcrum, whereby keys functionally held between the plates may bepermitted to drop from between them by the biasing action of gravity.

2. A key caseas defined in claim 1 wherein said case body is formed ofplastic, the front plate being of substantially uniform thickness andthe rear plate being thickened at said tab with a thickened portionextending therefrom toward said rounded offset portion, whereby to causethe 5 key-retaining portion of said rear unit around the said fulcrum.

3. A key case as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainer comprises ahorse-shoe shaped member and said plates have straight recesses near oneweb portion facing toward the center of the holes through which theretainer passes, whereby to receive and retain ends of the retainer, andwherein similarly facing offsets are provided adjacent the holes topermit free relative movement of the plates without binding from therounded portion of the retainer at its bight.

4. A key case comprising an integral plastic body with front and rearplates of identical outline joined together at their tops by two spacedthickened Webs, each plate having a generally rectangular portion forreceiving key shanks and a rounded perforated offset portion forreceiving key heads, the said front plate being of substantially uniformthickness, the rear plate having a thickened portion running from itstop downwardly with a thickened extension running partly into itsrounded offset portion, a

plate to move as a pair of parallel kerfs forming a tab being providedin the rear plate between said thickened portion and said webs, athickened portion also being provided at the top and below the webfurthest removed from the offset portion, a plastic Wedge-shaped fulcrumsecured to the front plate and having its apex in engagement with thetab forming a part of the rear plate below the top thereof and betweensaid kerfs, said plates being sharply convergii from top to bottom, eachplate having a thickened be: near its top and said beads being separatedby an ope space, and a horse-shoe shaped key retainer with its biglextending through the said perforations in the rounds offset portions ofthe plates, recesses facing said perfor: tions being provided in theplates near one of said Wel to receive ends of the horse-shoe shapedretainer an anchor the same, the said retainer being sufiicientl spacedfrom the plates as not to interfere with their rel: tive movement,pressing together of said plates at the; tops between said kerfs andabove the fulcrum causin said rear plate to move about its fulcrum, withsom warping of such plate near said web portions, to caus the entirekey-holding portions of said plates to diverg and release keys bygravity, bottom edges of said plate being sufliciently thin to permitforcing keys back betwee: them without the described pressing action.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,198,110 Fischer Apr. 23, 194( 2,274,820 Bills Mar. 3, 1942 2,458,938Greenhow Jan. 11, 1945 2,467,614 Duyn Apr. 19, 1945 2,468,959 Cannon May3, 1945

